Sunday, October 21, 2007

U of M Business School Promotes Whirlpool Corruption

Michigan has become one of the most racially divided states. Benton Harbor is the place to look if you want to see a tragic example of how corporations and extreme racisim combine to destroy a community. One of the lead players in pursuing this agenda is Jeff Noel, the Vice President of the Whirlpool Corporation.

It is important to understand his ability to create a smoke screen. Noel has the skills to look like a helpful corporate leader enhancing communities while leeching the resources out from under the poorest citizens.

Jeff Noel was recently asked to speak at the Gobal Urban Symposium at University of Michigan Business School. At this event (Sept. 21, 2007) he openly revealed his strategy of advertizing an alignment with a humanitarian organization as a means of getting a community to give his corporation what it wants, e.g. pulling in Habitat for Humanity and giving all their new homes applicances as a means of getting the poor community to give up land. After all is said and done, the community ultimately loses but the corporation is enriched. He states this strategy unabashadly. He is so conniving and single minded as revealed in his corporate history. He has worked for the tobacco industry, one of the greatest corporate deceivers of our time.

Benton Harbor is his latest community to deceive and ultimately destroy. Whirlpool has continued to eek away at the resources once held by a successful mostly black community. With leaders such as Jeff Noel, land has been given away, community services have vanished, and housing, jobs, community resources and the welfare of the citizens are at an all time low. But, every new Habitat House has a dishwasher. Jobs that are created by Whirlpool are low paying. Drive through Benton Harbor and see what Jeff’s company has really done for the city. Try and find a museum, a park, or a stock of decent housing for the city. Drive across the bridge and see what Whirlpool has done for the white population of St. Joseph. You will find an art museum absurdly funded, a children’s museum, parks, a concert shell, a shopping district with boutiques, even a horse drawn carriage to carry the white children around.

Don’t get fooled by Jeff Noel’s agenda. Whirlpool is racist and is headed by corporate spin doctors who take the most well-meaning citizens by the nose and attain submission. Some are coming up dizzy, wondering where the land went, where the decent paying jobs are, and why all these wealthy white people are sneaking around talking to real estate agents about the future of a golf course and gated community on the Benton Harbor beach. Meanwhile everyone with black skin wanders around trying to figure out what Jeff Noel really did.

13 comments:

Anonymous
said...

What was Benton Harbor's plan for the brownfields east of M-63? You say Whirlpool is taking land from the residents; is that another way of saying the residents are accepting payment for land that has remained neglected, empty and totally abandoned for more than 30 years? What, exactly, was the plan? Was there one?

Only Whirlpool controls plans.Maybe you'll have an understanding of this if you read the Znet article, part of which is posted here. It seems clear from your sardonic comment that you're a player in the county, but one can always have hope that even the most indoctrinated will see the light.

By "they" you probably meanthe BH city commission....? Unfortunately, the word usage implies racism, i.e., it's not even worth the effort to be more explicit about who you're referring to.

Again, try reading up on racist oppression. People of color or those living in poverty in this county of Berrien haven't a chance in the world of true independence or freedom. One corporation and it's minions are calling all the shots. You most likely understand all this very well, and are doing what you can to deflect others' understanding. However, it might be too late for that. The group of people who agree with you is small, and the way you phrase your comments certainly isn't going to win anyone over.

If the Harbor Shores project brings jobs and revenue to Benton Harbor, when before the area in question was simply abandoned wasteland, why are Benton Harbor residents against it? And why would Benton Harbor residents want to preserve the Klock beach area as the private retreat for Higman Park residents?

It is my hunch that your questions are rhetorical, but here are the answers, anyways.

As for jobs and revenue, it is commonly known in and outside of the county that BH residents will never know either of these. You also refer to "wasteland." It is also widely known that Jean Klock Park has plenty of "non-wasteland" space, and that Whirlpool has been dumping toxic waste to create what wasteland does exist. Too bad everything has been made so corporately complicated and ugly.

Ok, I'll go along with the next question - for the sake of readers:JK beach is for all Benton Harbor residents, certainly not just those of Higman Park.

I read about your perception of the situation in Benton Harbor. It was interesting. I know first hand, the positive impact Jeff Noel had in attempting to help revive BH. I was responsible for locating a $10 manufacturing facility in the Elijah Gray business park.One of the primary reasons was the willingness of Jeff Noel to involve us in the community. We hired specifically from the BH community. No one is entitled to anything. Be greatful for what is available and quit blaming people or institutions

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Rev. Edward Pinkney - How BANCO Started:

"Many years ago I was going about my life believing that the justice system was just that until I started going to the court house to observe all the wrong convictions. There are numerous factors for wrongful convictions in the Berrien County court system. Most of the problems are in the local judicial system."

"It's hard to believe that in the year 2012 we have a county in Michigan with a legal system this antiquated and racist. What's harder to believe is that no one at the State or National level is taking any action to remedy the situation."

"We cannot run society for the privileged and allow a significant proportion of the population to be marginalized. It impacts the quality of life for all of us. If we have throwaway people, a justice system which tolerates injustice is doomed to collapse. I am truly ready for action."